The Carolina Hurricanes have placed left winger Sergei Samsonov on injured reserve and say he won't travel with the team to Europe. The Hurricanes said Thursday that Samsonov would be re-evaluated when the team returns.

The Carolina Hurricanes have activated goaltender Cam Ward from the long-term injured list. Ward had missed the last 13 games after he was cut on the leg by a skate in a game at Columbus on Nov. 7. Ward is eligible to play at New Jersey on Wednesday.

Carolina goalie Cam Ward remained in a hospital Saturday night after his leg was cut by a skate during the first period of the Hurricanes' game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ward didn't fly home after the 3-2 loss because of concerns about the stress of the flight on his injury.

The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up Tuomo Ruutu for three seasons, avoiding arbitration with a deal worth $11.4 million. The 26-year-old forward is coming off a regular season in which he had career highs with 26 goals and 28 assists.

The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Jussi Jokinen, agreeing to a two-year deal with one of the stars of their recent playoff run. The team said Monday that Jokinen's new contract will pay him $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in 2010-11. Jokinen could have become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.

Even at 46 and in a suit, Ron Francis appears as if he could center a line again, and there were occasions in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Mellon Arena on Monday when it looked like he might.

The Carolina Hurricanes paid tribute to the last original member of their franchise Tuesday night. The Hurricanes honored retired defenseman Glen Wesley by raising his jersey No. 2 to the rafters before their game against the Boston Bruins.

Despite the reputation of the NHL's Southeast Division for weak play, Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal last week said it seems as if his team must contend with a dominant scorer every game against Tampa Bay, Washington, Atlanta and Florida.